21.05.12

Years ago, strategizing on what type of event they could put on that would raise money for REAP, Terese Allen, Miriam Grunes and other foodies had an a-ha moment.

“We sat down and said, ‘What can we serve that features local ingredients, that everybody loves and that everyone can afford?’” said Allen, a well-known local cookbook author and food writer.

Pie Palooza was born.

About 440 people attended the seventh annual event, held Sunday at the Goodman Community Center on Madison’s East Side. Tickets — $16 in advance and $18 at the door — sold out for the first three of four seatings. It was the event’s third year at the Goodman Center and the biggest one yet.

A record 26 restaurants, bakeries and grocery stores donated pies for the brunch event using seasonal, locally grown ingredients. All proceeds benefit the eat-local programs of Madison’s REAP Food Group, whose acronym stands for Research, Education, Action and Policy.

Pie-eaters were treated to two slices of pie, salad and a beverage. There were savory pies — quiches, tarts, meat pies and pizzas — and sweet pies — fruit pies, chocolate pies, pecan pies and cream pies.

Source: Madison.com